Charlie Sheen admits he wasn't 'winning': 'I was in total denial'

Everybody's favorite rock star from Mars, Charlie Sheen, is returning from Hollywood exile this month with a brand-new sitcom, FX's "Anger Management." And now that he's had a full year to process the public meltdown that led to his "Two and a Half Men" firing, he's gained a little much-needed perspective on the whole mess. "Clearly, a guy gets fired, his relationships are in the toilet, he's off on some f---ing tour, there's nothing 'winning' about any of that," Sheen admits in the new issue of Rolling Stone. "I was in total denial."

But Sheen's not in denial about his battles with substance abuse; in fact, he's open about the fact that he's not exactly clean and sober these days. "I don't see what's wrong with a few drinks. Mine's vodka. Straight, because I've always said that ice is for injuries, ha ha." (That may help explain the strange, oblique email he sent to TMZ this week in response to accusations he's still on drugs.)

As part of his rehabilitation tour, Sheen has also mended fences with ex Denise Richards, who's set to guest star on "Management." "He and I are like best friends now," Richards tells the magazine. "Confidants. He tells me everything." Sheen chimes in to add, "And we sleep in separate rooms. Everybody's going to want to know that, too." (We didn't really need to know that, Charlie, but we are grateful -- if only for Denise's sake.)

So can Mr. Tiger Blood complete yet another comeback and get back to the top of the TV ratings heap? We'll find out June 28 when "Anger Management" debuts -- but as always with Charlie, it'll be a lot of fun to watch either way.